Drinking water on old boats?

[sail sfbay]

Originally Posted by Rockinar

What does everyone do for drinking water on old boats with questionable water tanks that probably have an ecosystem growing in them? 5 gallon water jugs? Drink it anyways?

Sanitize them............buy Peggie Hall's book entitled "Get Rid of Boat Odors" to find out how.

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Boat-Odor.../dp/1892399156

[Captain Puget]

Use hydrogen preoxoide in aluminum tanks, not chlorine

[Methersgate]

1975 Stainless tanks. I find the first couple of pints stink of hydrogen sulphide, after that the water is fine. Certainly the problem lies in the hoses and perhaps also in the pumps.

[Captain Anthony]

following

[donradcliffe]

I used a seagull filter in the galley to ensure that my drinking water was safe and tasteless. It removed giardia and had an activated charcoal to clean up the taste.

[capt jgw]

You can take a water sample to your local health dept for testing. People do it for their well water all the time.

[tstano]

We carry 30 gallons in jugs.

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by Rohan

I'm confused - you just said that adding chlorine can create real issues, then you recommend adding chlorine.

He pointed out he disconnected, the tubes and pickled those NOT the tanks.


And I've only got one eye with 60% vision.


Speed-reading sucks.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by chasfgr

He pointed out he disconnected, the tubes and pickled those NOT the tanks.


And I've only got one eye with 60% vision.


Speed-reading sucks.

Maybe not speed reading but rather Reading Comprehension 101.
Unfortunate for the skipper who spend all that time detailing how he dealt with the aluminum tank issue specifically and then have this bozo ask again. Thanks to that skipper for explaining so much so patiently.

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Captain Puget

Use hydrogen preoxoide in aluminum tanks, not chlorine

Nope.

from the CDC:
Several other common products, including hydrogen peroxide, citrus juice, and potassium permanganate, have antibacterial effects in water and are marketed in commercial products for travelers. None have sufficient data to recommend them for primary water disinfection at low doses in the field.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowb...r-disinfection

[psk125]

On our 1981 J/36 we drained the tanks for the winter and blew out the water tubes with air pressure. Refilled in the spring and that's that for more than 20 years. No need for carry-on plastic bottles, which might contain water from jurisdictions that allow things that wouldn't be coming out of your marina's faucets.

[westernspirit]

We have fiberglass tanks; clean twice a year with weak bleach but still sometimes get mold. Sometimes questionable water sources when cruising and also have to winterize where we are. All this led to our solution; a separate 18 gallon bladder in a salon space; it’s own pressure pump going thru it’s own filter (charcoal) to a separate sink faucet. When we fill it fill hose goes thru it’s own filter.
Water tanks just for dishes showers but also could fill drinking water bladder when away from docks for awhile (again thru a pre filter)
We are happy with set up

[MatthLE]

Hello;

A quick perusal of mainly RV sites talk of Vinegar and/or Baking soda.

Regarding Cl-

A case of severe Al storage tank corosion:

Probable Cause

The process for cleaning the fresh water tanks was considered to have been a major factor in the corrosion process. The fresh water tanks were sterilised annually, which exposed the tanks to a solution of hypochlorite for 12-24 hours. In addition, the shore-supplied water was frequently chlorinated, which meant that the tanks were frequently exposed to chlorides.

Even small amounts of hypochlorite can be very dangerous for aluminium, irrespective of the Al-alloy chemical composition, resulting in the development of serious pitting. Once pitting corrosion has started, it may continue to develop for a certain period if the tank is not properly washed with water after the application of hypochlorite. The filling and emptying of the tank is not sufficient to remove all the corrosion products. The reason for the corrosion attack is considered to be that the thin aluminium film on the surface is depolarised and locally broken down, in connection with the formation of chlorine released from the hypochlorite.

Lessons to be Learned

Hypochlorite or other chloride-containing chemicals should not be used for sterilisation of aluminium fresh water tanks if the tanks have not been fully coated;


Respectfully

Lem

[Frankly]

One other plus of a small separate drinking water tank. When cruising the Bahamas we collected significant rainwater from the decks (after a quick rinse). No issues with dishwashing or showering but not sure we would have been thrilled drinking same.


Frankly

[Manateeman]

Our marine aluminum water tanks were cleaned post welding and coated with food grade epoxy and fitted with large inspection hatches. No issues.
We use City water which contains chlorine and RO water. Pull one hose and smell it. That will tell you when it’s time to change them.
My manatee crew has a simple solution.
They only drink beer.
Mark